Why pray in tongues? When I was a young Christian, I was encouraged to learn how to speak in tongues. It seemed strange to me. What does it do? Is it compulsory?
According to Wikipedia, speaking in tongues is the ability to utter words or speech-like sounds, languages unknown to the speaker. It was first mentioned in the Books of Acts 2
According to Wikipedia, speaking in tongues is the ability to utter words or speech-like sounds, languages unknown to the speaker. In the Books of Acts 2:4,
Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
Acts 2:1-4 WEB
“They” referred to Jesus’ disciples who had gathered together on the Day of Pentecost (also the Feast of Weeks), the 50th day after Jesus ascended to Heaven. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples liked tongues like fire and they began to speak with other languages. It is an ability given by the Holy Spirit.
The Feast of Weeks refers to the Grain offering which was to be offered to the Lord 49 days after the Passover. The Passover was an Old Testament shadow of Jesus, our true Passover lamb.
Okay, so when man is filled with the Holy Spirit, he can speak in tongues. What is the purpose of this indwelling by the Holy Spirit and praying or speaking in tongues?
Joseph Prince preached about the benefits of praying in tongues.
- Activate God’s protection
- Unlock revelations and answers from the Bible
- Deepen your intimacy and walk with God
- Carry the power of God in your words
- Be led and taught by the Spirit in daily life
- See good success in all you do
Access the full sermon, sermon notes, and study notes here.
One thing that stuck with me from this message is the taking the brain/mind out of the picture when I pray in tongues. I don’t have to worry about what to pray and whether I miss anything. I don’t have to worry about the words I use. Appropriate or not.
So, I decided to try this out.
I started praying in tongues when I woke up and in the shower. I prayed in the car while driving to work. I prayed in tongues under my breath when I caught myself idling in a queue. There is no pressure. As long as I remember, I pray in tongues. When I did something or say something I shouldn’t, I pray in tongues believing that God still love me and hear me.
I don’t know what I am praying but I don’t care. I trust the Holy Spirit to pray on my behalf. I believe this is how I am activating and engaging the Holy Spirit that is indwelling me. By taking my brain out of the equation, I am taking out the part that I’m proud of. And because I am proud of my intellect, it becomes a stumbling block to my enjoyment of Abba God’s presence.
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Be greatly blessed!
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